Marlinespike



f5" No. 748514.'

PATENTBD JAN. 5, 1904.

vH. FESBNFELD. v

MARLINE'SPIKR ABPLIUATION FILED APB. 2,.19o3.

N0 MODEL.

1m: mms Puces on. Mom m'no 'UNITED STATES VPatented January 5, 1904.

HERMAN FESENFELD, F HOQUIAM, WASHINGTON.

MnRLlmasPlKE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 748,714, dated January5, 1904.

Application filed April 2, 1903 is a specification.

This invention relates to marlinespikes,and has for its object toprovide a marlinespike which may be used to splice ropes, wire cables,and the like when but small space is available to work in and which willmaterially facilitate the operation of splicing under any circumstances.

With the above-stated object in View and others, which will appear asthe invention is more fully understood, the same consists, generallyspeaking, in a marlinespike provided With a removable thimble open atboth ends, which is inserted between the strands of a rope or cable whenthe marlinespike is introduced and which may be left in position betweenthe strands of said rope or cable` after the spike has been withdrawn,thus forming a channel of suicent size to permit the ready insertion ofthe strands of the rope or cable to be spliced into that between thestrands of which the thimble is positioned and enabling the user'of theimplement to draw the strands tightly into position without greateffort.

In describing the invention reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this speciiication, in which correspondingparts are designated by the same characters of reference throughout thevarious views, it being understood that the elements therein shown maybe varied as to form, proportions, and exact mode of assemblage withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure l shows aside elevation of a marlinespikeconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is also a sideelevation showing the marlinespike as seen from the opposite side tothat .on which Fig. l is taken. Fig?. 3 is a cross-section on the line 33 in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the thimbledetacled.Fig. 5 is a View in perspective -of the spike with the thimble removed.

Serial lio. 150,805. (No model.)

Referring to the drawings by reference characters,v l designates a spikecomprising a handle 2 anda tapered portion 3, having one surface dat andthe other of conical curvature and provided with a seat for a thimble 5,formed by cutting away part of the curved surface of the tapered portionof the spike with the formation of the shoulders 4 LP. The shoulder 4 isvdisposed at right angles to the axis of the spike at the butt thereof,as shown, and'serves as a stop for the thimble 5 when slipped intoposition upon the spike. The shoulder 4' is disposed obliquely to thesurface ot' the spike to facilitate rotation of the thimble in onedirection on the spike and aid in preventing rotation inthe oppositedirection. sThe shoulder 4 may be of any convenient size; but shoulder4a must be of such size that When the thimble 5 is in position on thespike the surface of the thimble will be continuous with that of thetapered portion of the spike protruding beyond the thimble, as shown,thus presenting a smooth surface for introduction between the strands ofa rope or cable.

Mounted in a recess 6 in the spike, which extends from the butt of thetapered portion to the handle 2, is mounted a latch comprising a pivotedmember 7, the pivot 8 upon which it is mounted, and a spring 9seated inthe recess 6 under the free end of the latch. At the rear or pivotal endthe latch is provided with the prolongation 10, which is adapted tocontact with the surface of the spike just beyond the end of the recess6 to limit the outward movement of the free end of the latch under theaction of the spring 9. The free end of the latch is formed with theshoulder l1, which registers with the shoulder '4, provided on thespike, when the latch is pressed 'into the recess against the action ofthe spring 9. In the larger end ofthe thimble 5 is provided a recess12adapted for engagement with the latch 7 to hold the thimble inposition on' the spike. To aid in holding the thimble in position on thespike, effectively prevent rotation thereon except in one direction, andprevent the detachment of the smaller end from the spike except when itis desired to withdraw the spike, the thimble is provided alongitslonger margin with a iiange 13, which contacts with the fiat surface ofthe tapered end of the spike.

In using my improved marlinespike for splicing ropes or the like thethimble should be seated in position on the spike, as indicated in Figs.1 and 2, and the spike with the thimble attached is forced through arope or cable between the strands until they are sufficiently separatedfor the introduction of the strands of the rope or cable to be splicedthereto. The insertion of the spike is preferably made with the fiatsurface thereof turned toward the axis of the rope or cable, and whenthe insertion is accomplished the marlinespike should be given ahalf-turn, further separating the strands of the rope or cable, and thenby depressing the latch 7 and turning the spike back to its originalposition it will be detached from the thimble held by the strands of therope and may be drawn out, leaving the thimble between the strands ofthe rope or'cable, Where it forms a channel large enough to permit theready insertion of a strand of the rope to be spliced on. When thestrand to be inserted has been introduced and drawn home, the thimblemay be removed, put in position upon the spike again, and the operationcompleted as many times as may be necessary to complete the splicing.

The spike may be made from drawn or cast steel, and the most convenientsize for general use will be eighteen inches in length and with theother dimensions in the proportions indicated in the drawings. Thethimble or sleeve is preferably made from pressed sheetsteel; but othermaterials may be used for either portion of the implement, and it isobvious that the size may be varied to suit different requirements.

Having thus described the construction and use of my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an implement of the class described, the combination of a spikeand removable thimble open at both ends.

2. The combination in an implement of the class described of a spikehaving a tapered portion and a thimble open at both ends seated onsaidtapered portion and removable therefrom when desired.

3. -The combination in an implement of the class described of a spikehaving a removablev thimble on the outside thereof and a spring-catchprovided 0n said spike to hold said thimble in association therewith.

4. The combination in an implement of the class described of a spike, athimble open at both ends removably mounted on said spike, and means forpreventing the rotation of said thimble in one direction whilepermitting rotation in the opposite direction.

5. The combination in an implement of the class described of a spikehaving its surface cut away to form a suitable seat and a thimble openat both ends adapted to fit the seat provided therefor on said spike.

6. The combination in an implement of the class described of a spikehaving a tapered portion terminating in a point, a seat formed on saidtapered portion, and a thimble fitted into said seat and removabletherefrom and having the outer surface thereof in alinement with theouter surface of the point of the spike which protrudes beyond the endof said thimble.

7. The combination in an implement of the class described of a spike daton one side and having a seat for a thimble, a thimble adapted to t intosaid seat and having a liange adapted to contact with the fiat side ofsaid spike to prevent the rotation of said thimble on said spike in onedirection.

8. The combination in an implement of the class described of a spikehaving a tapered portion with a part of its surface cut away to form aseat for a thimble, said seat terminating at one end ina shoulder atright angles to the axis of the spike and at the other end terminatingin a shoulder disposed obliquely to the axis of said spike.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmysignature in the presence of tWo witnesses.

HERMAN FESENFELD.

Witnesses:

A. S. HODGDON, HENRY CRosswnLL.

